The Confusing Issue of Who is Saved

To some of you, this subject may be quite obvious. Depending on your theological persuasion, the topic may not only be obvious but also superfluous. Why even delve into such a theme when the answer is so clear?

But is it that evident? Is there any doubt and should such a doubt cause us inner consternation or confusion? Think of the different answers to this matter. We’ll give some of the answers below that people may give, beginning with the most liberal and ending with a very conservative one.

1. Some may think that nearly everyone will be saved. This would include the good Buddhist, the Hindu, the Muslim, and all forms of “Christians.” Some may even include the atheist, the agnostic, and all others. We might call this a form of universalism.
2. Others are more restrictive, saying that if anyone just believes in God or some form of “god” then he will be saved. Such a person will go to heaven.
3. As a variation, some may say that God will give such a person who doesn’t make a decision in this life another opportunity to repent and come to God in a future life.
4. Others are more restrictive and say that one must actually be a “Christian” of some form in order to be saved and go to heaven. This would include Catholics, Orthodox, various cults, and all forms of Protestantism.
5. More restrictive yet, some may say that only “good” or “righteous” professing Christians will be saved. All others will be lost.
6. And more restrictive than even this, others may contend that we are not saved by being “good” enough, but only through faith in Christ. This “faith only” view would assert that all professing “Christians” who “believe” in Jesus Christ will be saved.
7. Even more limiting, some would say that only professing Christians who genuinely believe and obey to the extent of their knowledge will go to heaven.
8. Along with this view, some would say that only Catholics will be saved. Conversely, some would say that only non-Catholics will be saved. All others will be lost.
9. Perhaps more restrictive than this, some believe that only sincere and devoted conservative Protestants will be saved. These would be the Evangelicals who believe in certain “basics” such as the virgin birth of Christ, the sinless life, the atoning death, the bodily resurrection, and the coming return of Christ will be saved.
10. A further limiting view would be that held by people who would say that only sincere and devoted Protestants who live obediently will be saved. The “obedience” of such people would be something to consider, for various views on this would be offered.

As we can see, it is not at all clear to some people whom God will accept now and after this life and allow such into heaven. Probably some who are reading these words fit into one of these categories. And you assume that you are correct in your determination. You may say that some of this is unclear and that you are only thankful that you need not trouble yourself with this question—for there is “only one Lawgiver and Judge” (James 4:12) and He will make this determination.

One of the problems with this answer—which seems to be the right answer and one that takes the responsibility off our shoulders—is that we do need to have some determination even in this life as to who is saved and who is lost. We must have fellowship and must decide on whom we will consider our brother and sister and who is not.

To complicate this matter even further, we must look at a number of Scriptures. Of course, this will only make sense to one who accepts the Old and New Testaments (or we might say the old and new covenant writings) as being inspired, inerrant, and authoritative (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 10:35b). If we do conclude that all of Scripture provides God’s answer as to who is saved now and for eternity, then our understanding is somewhat clearer—but, in another respect, this brings additional complications. How are we to look at this matter?

We know that there are many different answers to this question, using the Bible as our Source Book. But in order to exist in this life, we must make some determinations. After all, we only live once (many but not all would agree to this). As Scripture says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). And as Paul writes, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Thus, we must look to God’s written Word for our answers.

From here we could go many different directions, but let’s consider this. One Scripture (among several hundred) that should be considered would be Mark 16:16. Even before we look at this verse, we must make these statements:

1. Some would say that this verse is not inspired of God. They would say that the oldest and best Greek manuscripts (the New Testament was originally written in Greek) would exclude Mark 16:9-20, thus we should not even be considering Mark 16:16. Others would say that these verses at the end of Mark 16 are genuine and authentic, thus they should be accepted as inspired and authoritative.
2. Others would say that if we do accept this as inspired of God, we are limited by the last part of the verse: “But he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” They would assert that Jesus, in this verse, is only asserting that faith/belief is the important consideration. Let’s assume that the first part of the verse does give the truth and the last part of the verse merely gives the negative of the first part. Both are important and necessary.
3. Some would also say that we must not conclude that the first part of the verse gives the whole truth for there are dozens of other verses that must be accepted and these would inform us to such an extent that our understanding of Mark 16:16a is changed.

Of course, all of these several points could be answered, but let’s proceed with the thought that the verse is inspired of God, that all of the verse must be accepted, and that other verses do not conflict with what we read here.

With these thoughts in mind, what does the verse say?

We read this: “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16a). Now we must interpret this.  (Some would say to just accept this as written and we need not “interpret” this at all. We look at this as only a quibble for all language must be “interpreted” in order to understand the verse.

Who shall be “saved” according to this verse? Jesus answers that “He who has believed” shall be saved. Believed what or whom? According to Mark 16:15, we learn that the “gospel” must be believed. And what is the gospel? According to 1 Corinthians 15:1ff, among other verses, the gospel pertains to the death, the burial, the resurrection, and the appearances of Christ. Even more concisely, the gospel pertains to the atoning death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

Of course, in order to “believe” in the gospel, one would need to place his faith in Jesus Christ Himself. We must “believe” in Christ to be saved. (See also John 3:14-18, 36.)

The scripture goes on. The verse says that one who “believes” [the gospel] and “has been baptized” is the one who will be saved. Of course, half of the world’s professing “Christians” refuse to believe this. And the ones who say that they believe this actually believe in what’s called “infant baptism” which, according to Scripture, is no baptism at all. This is a bold statement—but one that is important and must be explained.

Why? One must believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). Further, the Greek term “baptize” is from “baptisma” which consists of “the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence” from water (see Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). This means that in order to be baptized, as Jesus has specified, one must be immersed, must be submerged, and must emerge from water. Of course, this is simple, but it is something that either the vast number of professing “Christians” no nothing about—or, more likely, refuse to believe and do.

Further, the verse says that one must “believe” and then be baptized! Just as many refuse to believe the subjects of baptism (that one must believe in Christ before he is immersed) but they must also believe in the action of baptism (that one must actually be baptized—or immersed in water)! It should be quite clear to you and me that most people simply refuse to be immersed, but, additionally, refuse to believe before they are immersed! This verse not only tell us the mind of Christ in this, but the verse also tells us the consequence of not believing in what Jesus has revealed about this!

To repeat, this verse seems to say that one can be saved (from death, from sin, from the grave, from alienation, and from hell). But in order to be “saved” one must “believe” the gospel [good news] of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and must be baptized [immersed]. The verse does seem to be simple, as most of our readers will admit. But we also know that the vast majority of professing “Christians” have not believed in Christ and the gospel in this way and have not been baptized [immersed in water], thus cannot claim the salvation that Jesus has promised.

We need not belabor this further, but I think that many of you can see what we mean by all of this. At first above, we have seen that many deny or reject salvation itself. Others believe that Jesus actually is the means of salvation for “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Further, one must “believe” in Jesus to receive this salvation. And, beyond this, one must be baptized [as an expression of this faith/belief] in order to be saved.

This may seem simple and perhaps millions do see at least some aspects of this. However, there are tens of millions who have been taught differently and either refuse to believe what we have just discovered in the words of Jesus at Mark 16:16 or perhaps have been taught wrongly and thus they believe wrongly. We can see what we mean by the title, “The confusing issue of who is saved.” Do we accept what Jesus said or reject it? Do we submit to this or do we fight against it?

We realize that there are many other aspects to this question. Jesus also said that we must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, 5). This is basic (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21). But, again, vast numbers reject repentance (turning from sin to God and His will) as having a part in our salvation. And those who do say that they do believe that we must repent actually are unwilling to repent of all their sins. Further, some may not be willing to confess Jesus as Lord [master, one with authority, God] to be saved (cf. Romans 10:9-10). And, as we have discussed above, great numbers refuse to be immersed to be saved (cf. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-13; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Ephesians 4:5).

Are you saved from sin, death, and hell? Are you one of the people who merely think that being alive qualifies you to go to heaven? Or are you one who believes part of the further requirements for entrance into this eternal relationship with God? How do you look at all of this?

There is a rather unknown song—but good one—that says it well:

Just one life to live on Earth
And it swiftly passes by
From the moment of our birth
Till the time has come to die
God has given us this choice
To decide our destiny
In a million years where will you be

Where will you be a million years from now
Will you be happy, will you be singing
While ages roll throughout eternity
I ask this question where will you be

In the Bible we are told
Of a day that soon will come
When the people of this Earth
Will be gathered at God’s throne
When you stand before His throne
There for all the world to see
Will He say well done
Where will you be

(https://genius.com/The-oak-ridge-boys-where-will-you-be-a-million-years-from-now-lyrics)

Although this does seem like a very simple matter that has little or no consequence, we do know that the words of Jesus have great importance! We must not take them lightly! We must not pass them off as unessential. Although there are many other passages to inform us further, we also know that we have seen enough to get the main points about salvation and how one can be saved.

We can see how vital this really is! Will you believe this? Will you come to Jesus now in the way that He has stated? Will the words of the song above sink into our heart so that we believe them? This is more important than either you or I can imagine! Let us believe them.

–Richard Hollerman